How does Kindy differ from daycare?

wow, lots of opinions here

OK .. I thought some more knowledgeable kindy Mums would help out.

From what I can gather from a conversation I had with SD after he did a practicum at a kindy (he usually works in a daycare environment) is that its pretty much the same, but kindys have bigger child vs teacher ratios and they seem to be stricter in what the children "cant get away with" for example they have set times for when things are done, whereas at daycare they can flit from activity to activity as the child pleases. However I would think that this may differ from kindy to kindy?

He did mention that he wouldnt want our children to go to a kindy and that the kids dont seem to be as nutured as in a daycare environment (for example he said that children that were hurt were not allowed to be picked up and cuddled in that particular kindy ... I was like WTF?)

So .. I personally wouldnt change my childs routine, I dont think they need to go to kindy, our dc transitions kids into primary school, they even take them to visit etc, so I dont think mine will miss out on anything.

The only thing I could think of is that at kindy they will get to interact with kiddies from varying cultures and socio economic backgrounds, with our dc it tends just to be upper middle class kids.

Edited by lilfatty

I have a similar sort of question so have been lurking to see what the responses would be!

In your situation, I would keep him home too. From what I can gather after looking at a few, they seem very similar except with worse teacher ratios, and shorter sessions of course. (Jakes daycare doesn't do half days).

I think the transition to school programme they do at Jakes daycare would be just as good as kindy, and he will be able to keep napping in the arvo as long as he likes (although I'm considering the local private kindy as it does morning sessions for 3 yr olds).

nzpiper wrote: I wonder if kindy would be good when you are a full time SAHM and the kids arent in any other childcare but when they are already in daycare it seems to be doubling up.

yep exactly... why double up!

I have never heard of a structured kindy. They are all based on learning through play, it is the kindy philosophy. They do have a mat time which is compulsory - but that is pretty much the only thing that is.

I love my kindy and the teachers and think it has been a fabulous resource for me as a mum. But if you are already happily using a daycare then why change.   

I can't comment as I've never used a daycare. Alia was in homebased so even though they had a prep for school thing that they did, I put her in kindy so she'd get used the bigger social aspect of it.

Only thing I would check is to see that his friends are transistioning to the same school he is. Kindy's usually have one or two going to the same school & some from the prior year already at the school so there is familiar faces there.

Check with the school, chances are he might be going into the same class as them & they will help him out.

I didn't enrol Alia til the October before she started school

thats something I hadnt thought of KA, that he'd be with a HEAP of 2.5 -3yr olds!! Ah, well, still heaps of time. Dont think it is really to make a bad decision with your kids...we just like to worry unnecessarily dont we?

Yes Sonia, thats what I think I will look at. He needs to be in daycare because those are my working hours. He doesnt NEED to be in kindy those afternoons and I think I'd rather have him at home with me....as I said, they are little for such a short time I want to make the most of it.....he he he....there are days when I disagree with this comment though